Pre-leasing new apartments before the construction is finished helps you avoid losing money as the move-in date approaches. If you are building an apartment and want to have signed tenants prior to its completion, your pre-lease marketing plan should include a variety of strategies to attract attention. Once your move-in dates are established, start your advertising early to increase your occupancy rate before your complex opens.

Attention Grabbers

Before your apartment construction is completed, landscape the entry of the complex and place new professionally designed banners in front. String small colorful flags along the sides of the property to attract the attention of those driving through the area. Keep signs looking new during the pre-leasing stage and replace any tattered displays. Before the entire complex is finished, have one example of each model completed and furnished for previews. Give those who sign in for a tour a folder with pictures, completion dates, rental rates and an application.

Online

Your pre-lease marketing plans aren't complete without an online presence. Use search engine optimization keywords and buy ads so your apartment complex is featured on the first page of an area search. Place pictures of the completed models on your website along with a list of amenities. Ask prospective tenants to sign a guest list to receive updates and request an email address and cellphone number for text messages. Use social media for disseminating information and advertise those social media tools on the front page of your website and in your apartment handouts. Start a blog that links to your website so you can post descriptive updates and advertise future events.

Promotional Items

Hand out useful items that remind prospects of your apartment complex. Promotional products contain an imprint of your apartment name and contact information to keep your building on the forefront of renters' minds. For example, give away a dry erase board that can be used by prospective tenants, who read your information every time they write something on it. Give your promotional products to attendees of your events. Organize a grand opening with food and prizes before the community is completed to attract renters to sign the waiting list and apply to pre-lease.

Press Release

Building a new apartment is news for a community. Send a press release to all local news outlets and be available for interviews about your complex. Buy a full page ad in the newspaper to grab the attention of apartment hunters and reinforce the free advertising you receive from the article. Use large colorful pictures and highlight amenities, location and why it's different than other communities. Send an additional press release about your grand opening and call your newspaper contacts from previous interviews to cover the event for another news story.

About the Author

Carol Deeb has been an editor and writer since 1988. Her work has appeared in magazines, newspapers and online publications, as well as a book on education. Deeb is a real-estate investor and business owner with professional experience in human resources. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from San Diego State University.